Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp2.djvu/443

 was then proceeding with despatches from his Admiral to Sir John B. Warren.

After the action off St. Domingo, Feb. 6, 1806, the subject of this memoir was appointed to the command of the Dolphin 44, armed en flute, in which ship Rear-Admiral Cochrane hoisted his flag while the Northumberland went to Antigua, for the purpose of repairing her damages. He was subsequently appointed in succession, by that officer, to the Dart, Curieux, Epervier, and Cherub sloops of war; but his commission as a Commander was not confirmed until Feb. 15, 1808.

Captain Tucker assisted at the capture of Martinique, in 1809, and was subsequently placed under the orders of Captain Philip Beaver, senior officer of the squadron employed in the blockade of Basse Terre, Guadaloupe.

The Cherub had not been long with the above squadron before Captain Tucker, and Captain William Dowers, of the Julia brig, volunteered to go in with their vessels, and board and bring out two French frigates, then lying at Basse Terre under the protection of a very strong fort on the high land commanding that anchorage. Their spirited offer was readily accepted by Captain Beaver, who sent 60 of his own ship’s company to the Julia, and offered the Cherub as many as her commander wished; but none were accepted by him, as his officers and crew expressed a desire to have all the glory of the enterprise to themselves. After waiting many days for a favorable opportunity to make the attempt, Captain Tucker at length had the pleasure to observe that the wind blew home into the roadstead, and he immediately made the appointed signal to his consort. Both sloops stood towards the frigates with as much wind, as enabled them to carry top-gallant-sails over single-reefed top-sails close hauled, received the fire of two batteries in passing them, and was confidently expecting to be soon alongside the enemy, when their sails suddenly flapped to the masts, and they were left without so